Having already released a string of impressive singles such as 'Oh God', 'Nebesikalbam' and 'Burbulas ir Burbulienė' over the last few weeks, Lithuanian outfit shishi are now back with their latest bouncing offering 'Ok Thx Bye'.
Continuing that same bright and psychedelic aesthetic they bring to everything they create, 'OK Thx Bye' is a bold and abstract slice of irreverent indie-pop. With its minimal production and quirky flow, their newest offering is the perfect coupling to these lazy days under the summer sun.
So with the group on a roll right now, we sat down with them to find out more about their origins and what first brought them into the world of music.
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What were the first instruments you fell in love with?
Victoria: Hm, hard to remember, but I know I'm forever in love with a banjo and a harp. But my first instrument was a piano.
Benadetta: at first I started playing piano, but I think my first love was singing.
Maria Rosa: Definitely not a guitar! For many years I thought it’s super boring to play guitar cause everybody does. Well, now I’m one of them (haha). I remember having some kind of sweet relationship with a clarinet. I used to say it has the most beautiful sound an instrument can make.
What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?
Victoria: Probably the people and how they interact with each other, all the misunderstandings, happy feelings and other stuff.
Maria Rosa: Life pranks, joys and failures. Also the bands like ESG, Talking Heads, Los Bitchos and La Luz.
What kind of music did you love as teenagers?
Victoria : Hahahahaha, so early teenage days - Britney Spears, and all the other nice MTV and Viva stuff that they were suggesting to like, later teenage days - reggae, dub, ska, jazz, folky stuff.
Benadetta: I think as a teenager I began to explore music more and my discovery was classical music because I was learning that a lot in conservatory. Other than that I don’t remember any specific genre.
Maria Rosa: A lot of acapella jazz bands, full Velvet Underground discography, a little bit of Bob Marley and Pink Floyd, Erykah Badou. Pretty weird mix I would say.
Can you remember the first song that made you want to pursue a life in music?
Victoria: wow, no! I've never even thought about this. I always thought music is a game I like to play. And it just became my life silently.
Benadetta: Hahaa, no, unfortunately not. But I wish…
Maria Rosa: No idea, but I guess the fact that my mom sang me lots of lullabies definitely made some impact on me.
When you wake up in the morning, what kind of music do you like to listen to?
Victoria : i recently discovered spotify discover weekly : D so mondays i try that. Also I put on some NTS radio shows, or I’d go for Khruangbin. Yeah also japanese synth beep bop beep beep music.
Benadetta: I really like slow and what some people would consider “sad” music. I find it really beautiful as a dreamer. Also latin jazz really energises me.
Maria Rosa: Sun doesn’t come every morning in Lithuania, so I prefer something bright! Native African tunes, Japanese electronic and so on…
How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?
Victoria: Most of them. It’s not necessarily about only them, but as i mentioned - the interaction between them and me/us whatever. I’m not really good at talking, so writing songs is my coping mechanism.
Maria Rosa: All of them?
What have been the most memorable moments in your career so far?
Victoria: Hmm. I really like touring abroad, so every tour we take - i feel very good. Also it was pretty cool, when Infinite Bisous and Connan Mockasin came to see our show in Vilnius.
Maria Rosa: All the European trips we have made with my little honda pliazh! Also, hearing compliments about our music from Conan Moccasin and Infinite Bisous mouths!
Outside of music, what are your biggest passions?
Victoria: I’m figuring it out. And dogs. Pizza.
Benadetta: my biggest passion is only music I think and I really don’t have other things that I could call passion. But when I’m not playing music I’m watching TV shows and sometimes cooking nice food.
Maria Rosa: Oh, plenty of them! Making and eating food, forest, plants, stretching my back on a yoga mat, pat the dogs.
If you weren’t musicians, what other path do you think you might have taken?
Victoria: No freaking clue. I have a bachelor degree in french. So maybe there? But no, probably I would be a traveller working whatever to get some money for food or a ticket further.
Benadetta: I have no idea :D But if it would come to that, I think I would choose something related to beauty like doing makeup or even be a psychologist.
Maria Rosa: At one point I was seriously into photography, went to parties, took pictures and was dreaming that it will become my job one day… Then I started to play at those parties and suddenly ended up in another side of camera.
And what advice would you give to those looking to start a career in music?
Victoria: it might be hard, but it definitely will be fun. Advice, hmhmhm, i’m not good at this. Let’s say this - if you (someone) feels like you need advice - write to me. I have to understand what’s the problem to start giving advice. Seriously - I responded.
Benadetta: if you want to be a musician, you have to practise. I think if you play well you will be successful and wanted. And practising is not that easy as it sounds haha.
Maria Rosa: If you don’t trust yourself, find other people who are better at this. This makes a great team that can take you far far away.
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shishi's new single 'OK Thx Bye' is available to stream and download now. Have a listen to it in the player below.